Style & beauty blog

What I Read in May

June 9, 2015

Product Sample: A complimentary copy of Make Up by Michelle Phan was provided to me from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.

I can’t believe it’s already been another month since I updated what I’ve been reading. It seems like I didn’t read that much last month, but apparently I did. I read a few good ones, and a few not so good ones. Seems like the usual pattern this year. So, onto what I’ve been reading!

What I Read in May

Larger than Life by Jodi Picoult – ★★★ – This was a short story that was related to Leaving Time, a book I’ve read already. It was about more elephants, which apparently Picoult must be into. I can’t say this was my favorite short story of hers.

Where There’s Smoke by Jodi Picoult – ★★★★ – This short story of Picoult’s was much more my speed, and I was disappointed that this was so much shorter than Larger Than Life. I thought this was much more engaging and interesting storyline (psychics and controversy) than Larger than Life and Leaving Time, which I felt both went way too into the elephant grief study. Oh well.

A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman – ★★★★ – A grumpy old man’s life is changed by chatty and accidentally-destructive new neighbors. This story is heartwarming and charming, and one I enjoyed.

People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen Mann – ★★★★ – Jen Mann is a fellow blogger of a completely different category – humor. She lacks on a filter and shares witty and humorous anecdotes around some of her favorite topics, including how she met “The Hubs,” life in the burbs, marriage, and motherhood. I cracked up quite a few times throughout the book, even if it a lot of the topics (marriage and motherhood) don’t relate to me.

Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success — Online and Off by Michelle Phan -★★★ – I’ve obviously heard of Michelle Phan, but is it strange that I’ve actually never watched any of her videos? Most of her makeup looks are a little out there from what I prefer to wear, but I figured she’d have a lot to share in regards to her creating a YouTube empire. Surprisingly, I found a lot of this book to be pretty basic. I think it’d be great for 13-16-year-old girls who are just starting out with makeup, figuring out their personal style, and perhaps looking for a first job. However, for someone like me, this was just a little too juvenile.c/o Blogging for Books

Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey – ★★ – I’ve heard it time and time again – if a book you’re reading isn’t captivating you, put it down. There are so many other books on my to be read list that I’ve been following this advice a lot this year, and, unfortunately, Elizabeth is Missing was another casualty. It just wasn’t very engaging – an 80-year-old woman with dementia is trying to find her friend Elizabeth… and very little happens.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery – ★★★★ – This was a re-read, I think the last time I had read this was in middle school. It went on sale on Audible, so I grabbed it. Unfortunately, the Audible version misses out on all the illustrations and visual content, which was a bit strange. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend listening to this one, but the book is a classic that should be enjoyed by all at least once!

Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes – ★★★ – This Moyes book is a bit older, and you can tell. It doesn’t quite have the same character development or storyline as her more recent novels. For that reason, I can’t say I’d highly recommend this one, but it is not a bad book either. Just a little longer and more drawn out than some of her more recent novels.

Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley – ★★★★ – This was one of those books that were hard to read because it dealt with such real issues. A young woman goes to Denmark Military Academy and is given hell through brutal hazing because she is a female, and a decades-old secret society wants her out. This book was both infuriating, and so good because it felt so real.

The Circle by Dave Eggers – ★★ – This book reminded me so much of another book I read awhile back, The Woman Who Stopped Traffic by Daniel Pembrey. Mae can’t believe her good fortune that she gets to work at the most influential company in America. The Circle reminds me a bit of the Social Network mixed with your typical suspense novel. I just didn’t think it was all that unique and didn’t appreciate the slow pace of this novel either.

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30 thoughts on “What I Read in May”

Yes! Score for adding a few more books to my list!. You’re currently beating me, I’m sitting at 53 right now. In all fairness though my goal is 100 for the year lol.Kels @ Blonder Side recently posted…I’m Not a Hairy Dwarf Girl

Whoa, thanks for all of the recommendations Jenn! I didn’t read a single book in May and June isn’t looking too good either. I’m not sure what happened, I just hit a funk. I’ll browse a few of these and see if I can jump back aboard the reading train.Ashley L recently posted…Summer Entertaining with the Heart of Haiti

adding where there’s smoke and rites of passage to my list. i have heard about the elephants in those picoult books so i haven’t picked them up yet haha. good to know about old jojo moyes, i’ll steer clear!Kristen recently posted…Books Lately

Thank you for the inside view on the Michelle Phan book :] I can’t wait to read Rites of Passage! Do you have any other book recommendations similar the theme of social justice? xoStacey Greene recently posted…How To Become A Better You

People I want to PUnch in the Throat sounds like one that I would really love. I will have to check that one out. And also THANK YOU SO MUCH for suggesting NetGalley to me. I’ve been reading like crazy since I joined. I think I read around 30 books in 2 months! That’s huge for me!Julie recently posted…What I’ve read lately

You are doing amazingly on your reading! I’ve been a major slacker which is so sad because I love to read! I’m hoping to pick it up for the rest of the year!Julia @ Grace Makes New recently posted…Four Things

Love your recommendations.. added 2 more to my list. I just tore through What Remains by Carole Raziwill- a memoir of the wife of JFK Jrs cousin and current Real Housewife. This one was SO GOOD. And sad. Also really loved One Plus One by Jojo Moyes (although I’m sure you’ve read it!)- Looking for Alaska by John Greene, The Keeper of Lost Causes, In the Woods by Tana French, and The Rosie Project. It’s been a great streak!

I really liked Carole on RHONY so I really should read that. I did read One Plus One and I liked it too! I LOVED the Rosie Project and have Looking for Alaska and In the Woods on my TBR list. I’ll have to add The Keeper of Lost Causes too – that sounds great! Thanks for the recommendations! :)

I loved The Circle! You’re right, it was a bit slow, but the world building was fun and that ending was original imo. Couldn’t find the Daniel Pembrey book in my library app :( Another time hopefully.Hadas @ Common Room recently posted…BONUS EP: BookCon 2015